all my heart I admire the miracle and beauty of my own existence!
There is nothing even in the completest fairness of womanhood that
satisfies me so much as the contemplation of my own genius,--
realizing as I do its wondrous power and perfect charm! The life
of a poet such as I am is a perpetual marvel!--the whole Universe
ministers to my needs,--Humanity becomes the merest bound slave to
the caprice of my imperial imagination,--with a thought I scale
the stars,--with a wish I float in highest ether among spheres
undiscovered yet familiar to my fancy--I converse with the spirits
of flowers and fountains,--and the love of women is a mere drop in
the deep ocean of my unfathomed delight! Yes,--I adore my own
Identity! ... and of a truth Self-worship is the only Creed the
world has ever followed faithfully to the end!"

He glanced up with a bright, assured smile,--Theos met his gaze
wonderingly, doubtfully,--but made no reply,--and together they
paced slowly across the marble terrace, and out into the glorious
garden, rich with the riotous roses that clambered and clustered
everywhere, their hues deepening to flame-like vividness in the
burning radiance of the sinking sun.




CHAPTER XIV.

THE SUMMONS OF THE SIGNET.


They walked side by side for some little time without speaking,